~ Preamble ~

It all began about nine days ago when I came back from the cabin, a very relaxing trip, and heard some things about a new game on the 360 called "Shadow Complex." The name didn't strike me as very familiar at all, despite remembering seeing it in the forums for a few weeks before it came out. I at first, after reading the threads giving it mild praise and commenting on its 8.5/10 from Gamespot, was looking into the game on Wikipedia when I noticed it was a XBLA game.

This struck me as odd, since the screenshots I saw of the game, in its UE3 glory, made me think it was a retail game. Those thoughts were quickly dashed when I found out it was 1200 MS points (around $18 CAD) and there (obviously) was a trial. So I downloaded the trail and set off exploring the game. I played through the Prologue with the black guy and the helicopter and was not very impressed; given that I was reading this was a homage to Super Metroid and Symphony of the Night.

As soon as I got my hands on Jason and began exploring the first small complex, I knew why these posters were giving the game praise. It was Super Metroid. At this point, I knew I had to buy the game. So I exited the trial, added another 1000 MS points to my remaining 320, and bought the game. I started playing Proving Grounds first, to get a taste of everything the game had to offer (Friction Dampener, Hook Shot, Foam, etc.). I almost made it through two of the three challenge packs when I knew that this was going to be an amazing game.

I immediately gave up on Proving Grounds and went straight into the campaign, on Hardcore. Throughout this playthrough, I noticed something. The 2D side-scrolling, non-linear, platformer/action-adventure genre, that has been made so famous by Super Metroid and its subsequent sequel and prequels, was not dead, and that someone out there loved the game so much, they wanted to make another in the spiritual shadow of the master of 2D. However, in the process of bringing the genre into a new generation (long since its apparent demise after the release of Metroid: Zero Mission), they took the very successful formula and improved upon it. Adding in new elements that make for a much more solid, and rewarding experience.

Sure, there isn't crazy, nearly game-breaking glitches that allow for serious speed running, but the game was designed with those people like myself, who have spent countless hours speed running Super Metroid, in mind.

~ Positives ~

The game is really one big "+" for me, but the negatives that are there will be detailed later. However, what is worth mentioning, is that the game breaks the meaning of "downloadable title." For $15 USD, you get a game that gives $40-60 games a run for their money in terms of inherent value. I have already spent at least 30 hours playing the game, including Proving Grounds, and foresee many more play-throughs to come.

The overall design of the game is astounding, it is basically Super Metroid, except better. The addition of the extra "plane" of depth to the shooting makes for a lot more challenging set pieces. The world map layout and level design is very easy on the eyes and makes for some challenges throughout (especially on Insane difficulty). The weapon and item design is also quite excellent. They took a lot of ideas from Super Metroid, but made them better. Such as the Friction Dampener.

In Super Metroid, the Speed Booster gave you the ability to run very fast and run through walls and enemies. In Shadow Complex, you are given the ability to run along the floor, up walls and across ceilings. Adding a whole new level of depth to the level design (and even more depth for speed runners). However, unlike Super Metroid, there is no Shine Sparking. Now obviously, this was not included due to the fact you get the Friction Dampener early on and having the ability to Shine Spark would make getting places you aren't supposed to be so much easier (more on this later).

Overall, the game is absolutely amazing. Very much worth the 1200 MS points to anyone who is a fan of the 2D side-scrolling, non-linear, platforming/action-adventure genre and games like Super Metroid, Mega Man X, Castlevania and others.

~ Negatives ~

To begin, I must note that these are incredibly nit-picky points and none of them really detract from the experience. They are just notes on how the game could have been even better.

1) Its in 3D on a 2.5D plane. As great as the UE3 engine looks, and as great as the art design is... hand drawn 2D sprites in the styIe of Odin Sphere would have been very welcome and helpful way in maintaining the genres styIe.

2) Despite being non-linear, there is not as many sequence breaks as I would like. In Super Metroid, you can skip most of the mini-bosses and key items entirely. In Shadow Complex, the Minimalist run still requires you to get most of the required items.

3) There are not as many "expert maneuvers" as there are in Super Metroid. There is wall-jumping (wall-to-wall), wall-climbing (same wall), foam-bridging and foam-climbing... but there is nothing on the level of the mochball and bomb-jumping.

4) The shooting is kind of wonky at lower levels. I understand the design choice, by adding the XP element and upgrading aiming and precision along the way gives more depth to the game and more replay value. But this can give a lot of people a bad taste from the start and make them think its poor game design, not knowing that once you reach level 35-40, you are able to headshot almost every enemy almost effortlessly.

5) There isn't 1000 points worth of achievements. The game has more to it than some $60 games, and there is only 200 points worth of achievements to unlock. Granted, I'm not in it for the points, no, I unlock achievements merely for the sake of added replay value (had it not been for achievements, I probably wouldn't have played Dead Rising as much as I did). But having a 150 point achievement for "The Insurgent" Master Challenge would show that I did something not many other people did.

~ Conclusion ~

For $15 USD, this game is one that anyone with any sort of interest in the "Super Metroid" genre should give a whirl. My first play-through was over 11 hours long, longer than I spent in the campaign with Gears of War 2. It is most definitely the best downloadable title of the year and for me at least, is the best overall game of the year. It scratches an itch I've been suffering since I started into Metroid (and now Castlevania) speed running three years ago.

~ Stats ~

# of playthroughs: 7
Highest campaign score: 9193100
Fastest campaign time: 33:00

Master challenges complete:
- Status Update: Single (Complete and abandon Claire to her fate)
- The Insurgent (Complete @ 4% with Flashlight, Backpack, Grenade, Foam and Missile)

Master challenges remaining:
- Jason Bailey (Complete @ 100% under 2 hours on any difficulty)
- ChAIRness (Complete @ 100% in under 3 hours on Insane)

~ Types of Speed Runs ~

100% fastest time
Low% fastest time
"The Insurgent" (4%) fastest time
"Status Update: Single" fastest time
Highest campaign score (fastest time, most kills and 100% items)